What is the WAW?

The WAW is a superfast velomobile, fine-tuned for practical, comfortable and safe cycling in everyday traffic.

A
carbon safety frame enveloped in tough aramid (kevlar) fibre supports a
wide track, low centre of gravity and sidewind stability to make the
WAW the safest cycle. The aramid nose and tail are easily detached for
maintenance and repair, doubling as crumple zones. With its meticulous
composition of carbon and kevlar, the WAW is by far the lightest street
safe velomobile: ranging from 24kg for the ultra-light version, around
28kg for a commute vehicle, to 33kg for a hybrid bio-electric version.

Featuring
a stiff and efficient transmission, compact turning radius, low weight
and wide stance, we believe the WAW is currently the fastest human
powered vehicle in real world traffic and terrain. On the straight and
flat, the minimal frontal area and optimal form factor offer aerodynamic
efficiency among the best. The unique convertible canopy enhances the
aerodynamics and offers full weather protection. It shields the rider
from extremes of both heat and cold, and protects the head from wind and
weather. The adjustable visor prevents fogging and is unique in
maintaining excellent vision in the rain.

As far as we know, the WAW offers the best combination of cycling fun, safety, speed and all-weather comfort.

The WAW is a single person car that doesn't pollute the air, never needs a refill and is affordable for all. Or you could look at it this way: it's the world's fastest cycle in production, and carries you safely and comfortably as far as you want. Get some exercise and enjoy the cabriolet feel: the WAW is the ultimate sports car.

Rather than look for an alternative way of wasting disproportionate amounts of energy, we aim to develop a versatile and exciting vehicle that provides maximum freedom for minimal energy input. No green-washing for us, but a concrete healthy and durable mobility solution.

The quintessence of the WAW is energy efficiency. At a speed of 50 km/h (31mph) the WAW needs only 0.5 kWh per 100km: barely a fifth of a normal bicycle, and one fiftieth of n average fossil or electric car. Expressed in gasoline use, this corresponds to a mileage of 4700 miles per gallon (2000 km/l).

The extreme efficiency of this vehicle renders adding external energy redundant: the rider's own energy is sufficient. So it's essentially food- or biomass-driven. Serendipitously, burning fat is not considered a cost but a profit in our culture, so the WAW's fuel can be considered free or even a form of waste disposal. Hybrid propulsion optionally assists muscle power for those who can't or won't rely on their own power.

The key to its energy-efficiency is an unseen combination of optimized aerodynamics, weight, ergonomics and mechanical efficiency. The construction techniques of the WAW are unique worldwide: a self-carrying coachwork in an ultra-thin mixture of carbon and aramid fibre composites couples safety and comfort with minimal weight and air resistance.

Outstanding ergonomics and riding pleasure make long trips comfortable. In urbanized areas, the WAW is as fast as a fossil car: door to door speeds of 30 km/h (20 mph) are entirely possible. Mobility isn't a waste of time, money and energy any more, but an enjoyable workout. In good or bad weather, the WAW offers complete weather protection and ventilation, the convertible roof can even be stowed in the front or rear trunk.

The write-off and running cost of a WAW is so tiny it pays for itself if only by the economies in car fuel and maintenance cost. Commuters with a Cycle to Work allowance can earn a substantial salary raise by pedalling a WAW over distances that would be hard with a normal bicycle. Swapping the car - completely or partially - for a multimodal mix of a WAW and e.g. car sharing, public transport, folding bike makes you richer, healthier and free. Fitness and mental coaches, charging stations, limited radii of action, traffic jams, CO2 emissions... you can forget about those. It's cycling, but not as you know it.

The Waw is entirely hand crafted in Gent by the people of Fietser.be. We hope you will be as fascinated by the future of mobility as we are.

The WAW conveys a lot of emotions, it's an eye-catcher as well as an eye-opener. It's sporty and blitzy but at the same time durable and innovative: values every company would want to represent.

The WAW is an excellent tool combining mobility and publicity. Tax deduction makes the return on investment unequalled. A growing number of people appreciates the communicative skills of the WAW by carrying publicity for cash.Example sponsoring.

Earning your money by cycling is great. Doing it in style is excellent. Zip past the traffic queues in your shapely racing cycle is priceless.

The Waw is probably the safest cycle in the world, thanks to its impact-absorbing zones front and rear, roll bars, protective cage and excellent stability.

Full body helmet.

In the photo's you see the effect of the Aramid in the front crush zone; it doesn't splinter; it deforms. After the impact you can pop it back in shape and ride on, and you can just exchange the nose (in this case)Around the rider is a cage of several tubes made of Carbon and Aramid. In combination with the lightness of the whole structure, you are well protected in case of an accident.

Be seen.

A WAW is perceived very differently than a bicycle. The WAW appeals to the well known and anticipated Gestalt of a car. In other words: people see what they expect, and cars are what they expect. Naturally a WAW is granted its place as a car in traffic. This makes the traffic experience much safer than on a bicycle.

It is, however, true that even cars aren't always noticed by car drivers, as well as tractors or pedestrians. So a defensive attitude is always recommendable. Our adage: consider yourself invisible.

Take your place.

Depending on local law, the WAW is allowed both on car and cycling lanes. Our vision is that a WAW belongs on the lane with the smallest speed difference. Only rarely (usually when traffic is jammed) that will be a cycling lane: people do not expect an object on the cycling lane to approach at 40 km/h.

Winter and summer, you can exercise in comfort, cocooning in your cockpit, with some music on or enjoying the silence or self generated breeze.

Those lucky enough to live up to 50km from their jobs can swap the expensive, boring and annoying commute for sheer riding pleasure, past the jams, and get a killer body in the process. Countless are the WAW owners who trade jobs to get a longer commute :-).

The hardtop protects you against rain, wind and sun. It's a convertible; you can store inside the Waw your top or the visor or both.

The Waw is a stable trike with all its benefits. The front wheels have the suspension struts of Velomobiel.nl, the structure has a certain degree of flexebility (in the right directions!), and you have an ample choice it tyres, from hard to comfortable.

We are looking since 1990 for the most efficiënt way to move ourselves.
This quest led us to the Waw, which is grown to a school example of
light construction of vehicles. Our Waw is very sturdy and complete with
lights and mirrors, but wheighs in his lighthest form less than 25kg.
And we didn't even use vacuum techniques yet...